Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB) partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS) during the April performance of Reecuenctro. The idea behind the partnership was that the ACS would help grow the audience through their large network of volunteers and contacts. In exchange, SVB offered to donate all profits above production costs to the ACS.
The SVB donated $1,200 and a check was presented to the American Cancer Society during a recent Relay for Life celebration meeting. At that point, the ACS had raised $308,000.
In May, Southwest Virginia Ballet awarded $3,000 in student scholarships to 12 area dancers. The Vaszary Scholarship fund was created in 2008 to recognize the talented young dancers of Southwest Virginia in the Roanoke Valley.
A scholarship committee comprised of a SVB board member, SVB artistic director, and community volunteers considered financial need and the student’s ability and attitude toward dance. Merit and financial based scholarships ranging from $100 to $500 are awarded annually for summer programs and annual tuition assistance. 2009 recipients include Johanna Crick, Sarah Francisco, Kara Hauenstein, Courtney Hood, Rachel Lawson, Tiffany Lawson, Kate Oborn, Zoe Smith, Carina Stern, Annelise Straw, Dylan Summers, and Sydney Vaughan.
Southwest Virginia Ballet is a pre-professional youth dance company, celebrating nearly 20 years in the Roanoke Valley. Over 40,000 residents and 15,000 school age children have enjoyed SVB performances of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Coppelia, Firebird, Snowmaiden, Graduation Ball, Paquita and other original works.
Upcoming performances: “Motown” at the Taubman Museum Saturday, September 26. SVB will also perform TIES, an original ballet portraying railroad history, during the Roanoke Arts Festival Saturday, October 3. Visit www.svballet.org for more information.
